Feeding device



Aug. 13, 1 935. E. u. CAVE 2, 6

FEEDING DEVICE Filed April 26, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 dttomuq SEtZu/arrj HGwI/e I Aug. 13, 1935. E. ufcAvE 2,011,536

FEEDING DEVICE Filed April 26, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WA ll E Eda @42 7622176 Patented Aug. 13, 1935 UNITED STATES FEEDING DEVICE Edward U. Cave, Columbus, Ohioyassignor, by

mesne assignments, to Consolidated International Corporation, a corporation of New York Application April 26,1930, Serial No. 447,544

7 Claims. (01. 19s-21j This invention relates to an automatic feeding device and is directed more particularly to cigar feeding means adapted for use in connection with 5, av cigar banding-machine to feed cigars to said machine for banding application. v

Au'tomaticIfeeding devices have been heretofore proposedfor feeding cigars to the banding machine. However, such devices as. far as I am 10 chine, or in other words, both the foiling machine and the feeding device for the banding machine The are operatedbya common prime mover. feeding device has also been connectedor synchronized with means for'moving' a body of cigars to-' wards said device; The objection to having the cigar feeding device for the banding machine operated or controlled for operation directly with thelfoiling machineor the means for moving the my body of cigars is that said feeding device will op- "erate regardless of theposition of the cigars and thatparticular care mustbe taken to synchronize The primary object of the present invention is to overcome these objections and to provide a feeding device which is controlled entirely by the cigars moved towards the feeding device of the banding machine, thereby insuring the correct positioning of the cigar before injecting the same by. the feeding plunger into and underthebanding Another object of the invention resides in the provision 'ofa feeding device and abanding machine which are synchronized in motion with each other and rely upon the flow of the cigars tov 45 "regulate the successive delivery of said cigars to the banding! machine. 7

It is also an object to combine the feeding device of the banding machine with a cigar foiling v v,machine, wherein the cigars after being foiled are moved in a body side by side and horizontally over a table by the ejecting mechanism of the foiling machine. This arrangement is particularly desirable in that the'b'ody of the cigars thus forms g and thecigars may thus'be discharged from the aware, have been synchronized with a foiling ma-- ,aconnecting elementbetween the two machines foiling machine at regular intervals or intermittently and fed to the feeding device of the banding machine in the same manner eliminatingthe necessity of having the feeding device of the banding machine in operation during the idling:

operation of the foiling machine.

'A further object of the invention is 'tocontrol the banding machine and the associated flcigar feeding device therefor electrically by inserting a switch in the path of the moving body of cigars with which the cigar nearest the feeding device engages to close a 'circuit, whereby through the provision of an electromagneticdevice, the feeding device will be operated, but by the absenc of by spring action to an open circuit position.

It is also an objectof the present invention to:

provide an automatic feeding device of this character which will obviate the necessity of an opera: tor for feeding the cigars to thebanding macl'iine'.

a cigar adjacent the switch the latter will move;

I With these'and otherobjects in view,which appear as the description proceeds, the invention? consists in the novel features. ofvpconstruction,

combination of elements and arrangemen t ofij parts hereinafter to be more fullyfldescribed an'd pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a banding and the feeding device associatedly connected with a foiling machine of the latterof which on a smallportion is shown,.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of'the'feedf' ing device comprising the present invention;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectionalview l Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof,

taken on the lineA-A of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view ofthe engaging'end of the feeding plunger forming faj 40%: showing the same at the beginning of its retracting stroke after feeding the cigar to the,head o fy' part of the feeding device, v

Figure 6 is a side elevation of said plunger the banding machine,

Figure '7 is a similar view advantage the movable cigar engagingerniprt'yvided at the end of the plunger,

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic layout disclosing "the illustrating to arrangement of the various elements entering into the working of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral l designates generally the banding machine; the numeral 2 the cigar carrying table and the numeral 3 the cigar foiling "machine whichin this instance forms the meansfor feedf ing or moving the cigars overr'the table-2. A

The foiling machine, which is of common construction, includes a rotatable carrier 4 having spaced movable finger elements 5 mounted there- 'on between which the cigars 6 are held and acted 5 upon by mechanisms (not shown) for applying the foils or wrappers to said'cigars, the mecha- ,nism of the carrier 4 and the fingers 5 being such as to discharge or release the cigars at the end of thetable nearest the carrier 4 andat which 10 point other mechanism including a reciprocatory,

' member 1 will push the body of cigars at regular'intervals longitudinally of the table 2 in -a direction towards the banding machinew This.

body of cigars may be moved, as stated before,

i at regular intervals or movedpinter'mitten'tly depending upon the discharge of the foilingmachine. tion while being moved over the table ;2,- there is provided a strip 8 which is arranged in close relation to the cigars thus preventingirotation and misalignment thereof. A flexible strip {in may. also be provided having blocks 8b thereon.

acting as weights for holding thewcigars down and keeping, the samein contact with each other during their travel over the table A flange 9,

isprovidedat'the' outlet end ofthe table and forms. a stop with which the firstfcigar of the row enga'ges.

' 'rne feeding. device which comprises the pres 3m ent invention and is. designated-generally bythe numeral; ll is located atthe outlet'end (of the tablej2f'; and includes a horizontally disposed plun er .1 I "having rearward end attached to ablock l2 reciprocatingwithin'a guide l3fi'ormed 35qwithina bracket extension l l arranged laterally and'at rightangle'sto the table 2. 'The forward end, oLthe plunger .H ,is' formed with a hinged cigar-engagingflpiece 15 depending therefrom,

the. purpose" of which will appear later. Arising fr'om'the block. l21isj a'post l6 .havingspa'ced ears.

I ljfatjits-upperend ,formingapivot support for mask ng. block 18 tbfwmch; one end 0: the rod I3 islthreadedly connected. The other end of the 16319118attached'to'a sh'nilarly' shapedblock 20 mounted-{for swinging movement upon a pin carrid by the upperendof a rocker arm 2! which is keyed or otherwise secured; to a rock shaft 22 iournaled .for .movement within a, bearing23 formed .with their-amestructure of the banding It will thus beseen that upon. rocking movement of the arm ZIand the related mechanismithe-rplunger. H will 'thus be causedto move into engagementwithathe cigar positioned in alignment with the plunger-and push the [cigar 55.; under.thebandingaheadHM 'where the banding operation is performed The bandingmachinewhich isalso of common consttuction includesan.operating. shaft 25 with which the mechanism (notshown). of the band ggwingohead isoperably connected. and with yirhich the ieeding plunger mechanism is also directly connectcd foip. simultaneous. operation. The

' shaft 25 is' provided. witha clutch 2 6 oi any suit; able construction. and which- -clutch. includes a flxed-member: 21 .carriedwby theend of the shaft. 25 and a'slidable clutch. member-28 mounted upon,

theqendof-a short shaft sectionl29. Theia'tter clutch member .isdriven through a suitable gear- 7 ing by a motor 30 which. .during the of the 70It3banding manhineaisconstantlydriven or in mo tion; Keyed or'rotherwisesecured tofthe shaft 25;.isa cam 3l withwhich isengaged aroller 32 mounted for rotationnear-zone endofa bar 33.

The other endof .this hbaris pivotally connected 75 to an 34 attached forrockingmovement with i To keep the cigarsin theirproper 'relathe shaft 22 of thefeeding device. A slot 35 is provided in the end of the bar 33 carrying the roller 32 and through which slot the shaft 25 extends, the slot permitting the bar 33 to slide upon the shaft 25 and to be moved in one direc- 5 tion by the action of the cam 3| To keep the roller 32 against the working face of the cam 3| there is provided a coil spring 36, which has one of its ends attach'ed to the "frame structure of I the banding machine and the other end connect- 10 ed to the rocker arm 2|; The spring acts in op:

position to the cam 30 to move the plunger I I in vtheother direction. suitable shape.

The cam 3| may be of any It has been found, however, that acam givinga harmonic action is the best suited 15 for the purpose. I

From the structure sofar described, it'will be noticedthat 1thebanding machine and the feeding device therefor is directly connected for. simultaneous operation or 'driven from the same 20 motor. Thus the banding machine may be timed or. set to function at the proper moment with the operationof the feeding device. v g V f. Formedjin the flange 9 andlo'cated'in' the cen-i tral axis of the table 2 is a slot 31thro'ugh which 25 extends a free end of a .flngEI-SB'IDQ the switch mechanism; Thejflng'er 38iisflmounted and attached for f horizontal. swinging movement on the upper :end of aspindle shaft llhavingljits bearing in the horizontallegll"oLthefflangeB 30-:-

and in one end Of. thetable 2'.' ,Tiireedsare .provided upon' the'Iow er portion ofthe spindle 4 0 forthe connection, and amustmeneoran arm flf carryingia socket .43 at its outer free end forthej reception of an electric cont'a'ctlpomt M: coegas; operating with the point 44 is a'similar pointjfll carried by the lower end-,ofladper'iding finger 461pivotally mounted for free,swinging movef-. i

' ment in a directionitoward 'an fawayii'mm11 2 point upon a bracket llattachedto th'e'under 51i sldeof the guide l3; Thisswingingfconstruction' 'isemployedtopetmitsomeiaddltioflaljhbrizontal.

movement of the contactcarrying arm .l2"aftjerf contact between thecpoints M ami has been established} Connected jmths sockets for, the pointsi flland. 45 are currentcarryin'gjwires 4'3 and 49 of'which the formerlleads tothe windings of an electromagnet. 50 andthe" latter m ne. power input line 5| thus forming a. circuit. Af-.

fected byfthe excitations of themagnetJMijs armature 52 whichfis pivotedas. at 53,,a'nd has one of its ends engaging thesliding clutch. mem-f ber28. 1

In operation, it will'be seen that upon the; movement. of the, cigars longitudinally of thev 55s,

. table2, efiected by. the,discharge'mechanismfl of the .foilingmachine, thelcigar at. the advancing endfof the. row'will engage the switchfiriget-iflf. swingingthe' same and causingthe contact points Hand 45 to'engage each other. This will close it,

the circuit in which themagnet 50 is positioned with the result that the nagnetbecomesv energizedand effects the actuation of the armature," 52 inv turn moves the sliding clutchmemher 28. into drivingengagement .with' the other 5525 beinginjected. under the plunger head .ornintil the rearward end of the cigar'passes the free end of the finger 38 at which time the finger tends to swing-outwardly by. the'action of the spring 53' but will, due to the movement of the incoming'cigars' advancing towards the finger 38, retain the circuit in a closed position. The banding machine and the feeding device are thus continuously operated during the flow of the cigars towards the finger '38. However, upon an interruption in the'fiow of cigars the finger 38 will be free to moveto a position separating the contact points. 44.and.45 andbreaking the circuit, thus stopping the operation of the banding machine and. the feeding plunger II. The arrangement of the clutch mechanism is. such that the machine completes the cycle and causes the plunger to cometo rest at its retracted position free from engagement with the cigars. It will be noted'by referenceto Figures 6 and 7 that the plunger II is positioned or elevated above the cigars, thus permitting the incoming cigars to move into engagement with the finger 38' without interfering With the plunger upon its rearward or retractedstroke. Thecigar-engaging piece G5 which is hinged at the forward end of the plunger II will, due to its hinged connection with the plunger ll, swing upwardly and slide over the cigar the full length thereof until free from the end of the cigar at which time the piece I5 will drop to a vertical position. This cigar engaging member I5, which is illustrated in Figure 5 to best advantage, has its upper end pivoted or hinged within the slot 54 and. rounded as at 55 permitting of the free outward and upward movement of the member 15 but is prevented from swinging rearwardly and under the plunger due to the fact that the straight face 56 engages the inner end of the slot 54. This will retain the member l5 vertical and at right angles to the plunger I l during the feeding of the cigars under the banding head. This arrangement is thought novel in that it permits the cigars to move into engagement with the finger 38 and keeps the circuit closed while the plunger is moving to its retracted position.

It will be noted that the cam 3| only functions to move the plunger element II to its retracted position and the spring 36 serves to move the plunger forward on its cigar injecting stroke. This is highly desirable in that in case the cigar gets out of alignment with the plunger and becomes caught in the guideway or the ejecting mechanism 51 of the banding machine fails to function properly, the damage to the cigar will be less than if the plunger were moved positively in this direction by the cam.

By pivotally mounting the contact carrying finger 46 flexibility is provided between the points 44 and 45 and permits the point 45 to move after being engaged by the other contact point, thus assuring more efficient contact therebetween. The points 44 and 45 which may be formed of any suitable metal are adjustable within their sockets and may be removed therefrom for replacement. To prevent undue sparking or arcing between the ends of the contacts 44 and 45 a condenser is positioned between the leads 48 and '49. This will increase the wearing life of the contact points and assures more effective operation of the switch device. In case the foiling machine is not in operation the row of cigars may be moved by hand longitudinally of the table until all of the cigars have passed through the banding machine by means of the feeding device, before described. In order to keep the banding machine in operain one direction will engage a spring anchoring screw 6! of the finger 38 and cause the spindle" M3 to rotate effecting the closing: ofthe circuit Ezi due totheengagement of the points 44 and.45.: I

A spring BZzis connectedwith theqrod58i and serves to move the rod to an inactive or -inoper-; ative position. Adjustable stops are provided at each end of the guide 23 with which the. blOCkf' The stop serves to limit the move-.

l2 engages. ment of the block 92 in either direction.

Although I'have described the invention here'- in as being used inzconnectionwith the banding of cigars, it will be'understood that the device v is capable of many other uses wherein 'it.is"de.-j=

sired to feed a: plurality-of articles oneat atime,

to an operating position to be operated upon by towards the feeding device of the bandingma- I chine, other means, such as a hopper, may be provided for performing this function.

What is claimed is: 1. In a device of the character described, a

table for supporting a row of pre-formed cigars, means for advancing therow of -cigars over said table towards a feeding position. in a non-rotating manner, means for moving said cigars one by one from feeding to banding positions, a spring for effecting the movement of said cigar moving means in the cigar injecting direction, a cam for moving said last named means to a retracted position, and switch means actuated by the' moving row of cigars for electrically controlling the movement of said cam.

2. In a device of the character set forth, a substantially horizontal table for supporting a row of cigars, means for moving said row longitudinally of said table, means controlled by the movement of said row for actuating said cigars one by one in successive order transversely of said table, and a hinged cigar engaging member movable in unison with said actuating means to engage the end of an actuated cigar upon its movement transversely of the table and operable upon the retracting movement of said cigar actuating means to swing upwardly to clear said cigar.

3. In a device of the character described, a support for a row of pre-formed cigars, means for advancing the row of cigars over said support towards a feeding'position, means for ejecting said cigars one by one from the advancing end of said row and transversely thereof in a horizontal plane, said means including a hinged v flat member adapted to engage the end of the cigar to be ejected and which member is arranged substantially vertical during the ejecting stroke but will upon its return stroke be swung to an.

angle so as to clear the next succeeding cigar to v be ejected.

4. In a device of the character set forth, the combination with a support for holding a row ejectingthe cigars one, by one from the advancing end of said row in a horizontalplane, said device'comprising a reciprocatory element p0- sitioned in a plane-above said row of cigars and provided with a hinged depending cigar engaging-member'atits forward end; thehinge of said member permitting the latter to swing upwardly and out of engagement with said row when said i element is moving on itsreturn stroke. 5.In a device of the characterset forth, the combination with a support forholding a row of cigars-and with means Iormovingthe row 1ongitudinal ly on said support, of a device forejecting the cigars one by onefrom the advancing end of said row, said'device comprising a reciprocatory element positioned for movement in a plane above said row of :cigars;and provided with a I hinged depending, cigar engaging member at its forward end, said member being free to swing upwardly during the return stroke of said element permitting the row to advance towards said ejecting device. r

of cigars and withmeans for'moving therowr '16. ms cigar feedingidevice, the combination longitudinally of said" support, of a device for.

with a suitable support for holding a row of pres" formed cigars and with means iormoving said row :.longitudina11y of; said? support towards a feeding position, of "a. plunger element mounted for reciprocation above and in'a 'directiorrtranse versely and horizontally of said row, said plunger. i

element being provided with a dependingicigar' engaging member adapted to engage the endstofi the cigars to, eject the same one by one .as the row is advancedrover sai'dsupportf H I,

7. .In a' cigar feeding device, a supporting I fora row of pre-forme'dcigars, means tor mcviing the row towards one end 01' said'tabie ia plunger mounted for' horizontal reciprocation near one end "-of the'table in a direction trans versely of said row, said plunger including amain said support.

. EDWARD U: CAVE. 

